TSHL's 25th Anniversary 1985-2010

The Board of Directors of the TSHL Foundation will host TSHL's 25th Anniversary celebration at the Broken Spoke, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, featuring live Texan musicians, group Texas two-step lessons, Texas memorabilia silent auction, drawing for guitar signed by Willie Nelson and Friends, and great Texas BBQ. The Broken Spoke, known for Texas county and Western music and home-style cooking, is located at 3201 South Lamar, Austin. Texas Silver-Haired Legislators, family and friends throughout Texas are invited to the event which begins at 4pm and closes down about 8 pm.

Several items have already been donated for the silent auction, including a dove hunt, I-Phone, mesquite smoked beef tenderloin, Cavendar's gift certificate, I-Pad, Southwest tickets, weekend getaway in San Antonio, Rae Cosmetics, Terra Valentine Napa Cabernet and golf package for four at Willie Nelson Golf Course in Spicewood. Other items will be added.

TSHL Foundation drawing will be held for a Yamaha guitar signed by Willie and the gang. THSL members and the TSHL Foundation Board are selling tickets for $5 each. Tickets are also available online. You don't have to present to win.

In 1986, The Board of Directors established the Texas Silver Haired Legislature Foundation to provide financial assistance for the continued operation of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature. Through the years, the Foundation has underwritten the TSHL Orientation session, publication of the Silver Bulletin and the TSHL Legislative Report; also, sponsored the TSHL website, Online Academy and town hall meetings conducted throughout Texas. Jim Hine, first DADS commissioner, is current president of the board.

TSHL Online Academy

Welcome to the TSHL Online Academy. The Academy offers online courses for TSHL members, older Texans, the aging network & providers, college students, family caregivers and interested public. With TSHL Online, you have on-demand access to all courses, so that you learn at your pace, and at your convenience. Explore this site and learn about the TSHL and its programs. We hope you find something here that interests you and you decide to pursue your studies with us. More about TSHL Online Academy

Town Hall Forums

For the 3rd consecutive year, TSHL conducted a town hall meeting as part of the Texas Conference on Aging. Comments collected from 35 roundtables represented more than 350 voices of attendees at the TSHL conversation with members of the Texas Legislative Committee on Aging conducted March 22, 2010, Kerrville. Committee members served as a panel to present their concerns and respond to questions and comments. Members included: Representative Elliott Naishtat, Representative Susan King, public members Homer Lear and Betty Streckfuss. Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., chair, provided a video on the creation and purpose of the Legislative Committee on Aging. Walter Graham, TSHL Speaker, moderated the event.

The Katy town hall meeting was conducted June 10 by TSHL, Harris County Area Agency on Aging and Area Planning Advisory Council. Harris County TSHL members will conduct a town hall meeting September 21, at Lee College, Baytown.

The purpose of the town hall meetings is to identify issues for consideration by TSHL members in developing Resolutions for the 13th TSHL Legislative Session, September 2010.

More than 2000 citizens attended 16 TSHL town hall forums across Texas, 2007-2009. Seniors, Texas aging network and the general public discussed aging issues, concerns and solutions. TSHL members conducted forums in Houston, College Station, Abilene, Amarillo, San Antonio, Paris, Orange, Arlington, Baytown, Kingwood, Dallas, Milano, and Wichita Falls. Eight of the top 10 priorities and 70% of the 74 TSHL resolutions prepared for the 81st Texas Legislature reflected issues voiced in these forums. TSHL greatly appreciates the support of the TSHL Foundation sponsors, United Way of Texas and AT&T, for grants to conduct these forums.

Public Comments

You are invited to submit your concerns about aging issues or questions regarding TSHL in the space below. Your comments are added to the issues identified during the town hall meetings conducted across Texas. This information helps TSHL members to develop resolutions for consideration by the TSHL Legislative Session, September 2010. Adopted TSHL resolutions are forwarded to the Governor, Texas Legislature and other state officials for consideration by the 82nd Texas Legislature.

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Check the Calendar for upcoming dates!

Silver Bullets

TSHL Election to be held in 2011

As a result of TSHL Bylaws amendments, the next election of Texas Silver-Haired Legislators will be in 2011. To be eligible for election an individual must be a registered voter, 60 years or older and meet state and local residency requirements. There are 117 TSHL districts with 4 in each of the Texas 28 area agencies on aging and one additional legislator in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis Counties. Candidates may file for election between January 1 and February 28, 2011 through local area agencies on aging. TSHL Election Day is May 24, 2011.

TSHL Legislative Session, September 13-17, 2011

TSHL Speaker Walter Graham convenes the 13th TSHL Legislative Session September 13-17, 2011, at the State Capitol. The Legislative Issue Committees will conduct public hearings to consider resolutions prefiled by silver-haired legislators. Committees include Criminal Justice, Education, Health and Human Resources, Human Services, Insurance, Retirement and Aging, Rural-Urban Affairs, State Affairs and Utilities and Natural Resources. Resolutions approved by committees will be sent to the floor for action by the full body. Resolutions adopted by the full body will be prioritized and forwarded to the Governor, Texas Legislators, state officials and the Texas Aging Network for consideration by the 82nd Texas Legislature.

TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON AGING

The 81st Texas Legislature passed House Bill 610, authored by Representative Elliott Naishtat and sponsored by Senator Leticia Van de Putte, to establish the Texas Legislative Committee on Aging. HB 610 was the first priority of the 12th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature with strong support of

advocacy groups. Committee members were appointed by Governor Rick Perry, Speaker Joe Straus, and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. The Committee was established to study issues relating to the aging population of Texas, including issues related to the health care, income, transportation, housing, education, and employment needs of that population; and make recommendations to address those issues.

Speaker Straus appointed Representative Elliott Naishtat and Representative Susan King; Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst appointed Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. and Senator Joan Huffman. Governor Perry appointed Betty Streckfuss and Homer Lear, both members of TSHL, as public members. For bio of each member, click here.

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TRACK TAX FREEZE IN TEXAS

Track the progress of the Tax Freeze in Texas with our up-to-date listing of counties and communities. For more information, visit the web site of the Texas Attorney General.

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